They gave – now they will receive.

Tuesday, June 05, 2001

They gave – now they will receive.

The American Red Cross recently announced Ironton High School will be one of the three schools in the Tri-State area to receive the first-annual "High School Heroes" award.

The award was given to the school because of the success of its student-led blood drive. American Red Cross Western West Virginia Chapter spokesperson Joy Bias said the award was designed to recognize the efforts of students who take the initiative to help the Red Cross. She said a significant amount of blood collected by the organization comes from high school students through school-based blood drives.

According to the Red Cross, schools were graded in five areas: forming a recruitment team; meeting goal; adequate volunteer staffing; donor scheduling; and promotional creativity. IHS received 95 points on its evaluation out of a possible 100 points.

IHS’s blood drive was organized by the school’s National Honor Society, led by Linda Richendollar.

The blood drive is a tradition for the high school’s honor society Richendollar said. She said the blood drive was held early in the school year and about 45 pints of usable blood was collected. She said the blood collected at the Ironton drive went to save the lives of about 120 people.

"The students are very conscientious and are good workers, that’s why the drive is a success," Richendollar said.

The school will receive an award designed by Blenko Glass of Milton, W.Va.